STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2552

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2343

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2343 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR INVASIVE SPECIES PREVENTION, CONTROL, OUTREACH, RESEARCH, AND PLANNING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, through the Department of Land and Natural Resources, for invasive species prevention, control, outreach, research, and planning.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Mayor of the County of Maui, the County Council of the County of Maui, the Nature Conservancy, Hawaii Green Growth, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and three individuals.  Written comments on this measure were submitted by the Department of Agriculture and the Office of Planning.

     Your Committee finds that invasive species, such as insects, disease-bearing organisms, snakes, weeds, and other pests are one of the greatest threats to Hawaii's economy and natural environment as well as to the health and lifestyle of Hawaii's people.  Your Committee further finds that appropriate measures are needed to control the invasion of these species and mitigate any future damage.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2343 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair